Preparing for CAT at 30 – My Journey So Far

Hey there, future MBA!

I’m turning 30 this year.
And guess what? I’m giving CAT for the second time - this time with a dream to hit 99.99 percentile.

Last year, I scored just 58 percentile in my first attempt.
Yep, you read that right — 58.

I’m not your typical CAT topper running bootcamps or offering 50 mocks and notes.
I’m just like you.

I took coaching.
I solved mocks.
I dreamed big — and failed big in round one.

But I’m not giving up.
And neither should you.

This is not a space where I’ll tell you what to do.
That’s your journey.
You’ll figure it out. I believe in you.

Instead, I’ll share what not to do.
Mistakes that cost marks.
Choices that eat time.
Strategies that sound smart but actually trap you.

Let’s build a study community — to push each other, learn, and grow.

Cracking CAT isn’t just about studying harder.
It’s about making smarter choices during the exam.
Time is your biggest enemy, and strategy is your best friend.

Smart Moves Matter: TITA vs MCQs 🎯

Last year, I followed a very simple strategy.
I decided I wouldn’t leave a single TITA question unanswered — but only after completing the first round of solving the section.

And yes, I actually did it.

When the results came out, I realized something interesting.
Only one TITA was correct by guess, and one more was right because I had actually solved it. The rest? Wasted effort.

Even though I had promised myself I wouldn't attempt all questions, I still ended up doing it.
That pressure to "do more" kicked in — and it backfired.

Here’s something that might surprise you.
In the Quant section, I got only 2 questions correct out of 22.
And yet, I managed to score 66 percentile in Quants.

Take a look at the chart below for better clarity.

A 99 percentile scorer solved just 11 out of 22 questions — and still hit that number in Quants.
Now look at the jump from 80 to 90 percentile, and then from 90 to 99.
It’s clear — improving from 80 to 90 is much easier than breaking into the 99+ zone for all sections.

So here’s the point:
Your goal doesn’t need to be 99 percentile.

Your goal should be to get into the right B-school — the one that fits your career plans.

Make a list of your top 5 to 10 target colleges based on your goals, experience, and future ambitions.

The dream of a college fresher is very different from someone with 5+ years of work experience — and you already know that.

So before you even start preparing for CAT, do that homework.
Be clear. Be honest.
Know why you're doing this.

TITA stands for Type In The Answer.
There’s no negative marking here — even if you’re wrong, your score stays safe.

MCQ means Multiple Choice Questions.
These come with the risk of negative marking for incorrect answers.

At first glance, TITA seems like the better option.
No penalty? Just type what you think is right — sounds great.

But here’s the catch - TITA questions take time. A lot of it.
And in CAT, where every second counts, that time cost can be huge.

A Real Example

You’ve got 3 minutes left.
Two questions in front of you:

• A tough Para-jumble (TITA)

• A tough MCQ

Para-jumbles have 120 possible combinations for a 5 jumbled para (5!).
But only one is right.
No options to help. No clues. Just chaos.

Now look at the MCQ.
You’ve got 5 options.
Use elimination.
Knock off 2 silly ones, and you’re down to 3.
Take a guess — you still have a fighting chance.

👉 Smart Strategy for this scenario:

• Spend 2.5 minutes on the MCQ.

• Try to eliminate options.

• If you can rule out even 2, take the shot.

• Use any leftover time to make a best-guess TITA attempt.

What do you think?
Hit reply and tell me your thoughts, experiences, or even your target colleges.
I'd love to hear from you and learn how you're planning your CAT journey!

📚 Recommendation Corner

Here are a few things that helped me and might help you too:

YouTube Channel: 2IIM CAT Preparation – great for concept clarity and smart strategies. (Not a sponsorship btw 😃 )

Books which I read recently:

Interpreter Of Maldies by Jhumpa Lahri - Amazon Link

— It’s a captivating collection of short stories that beautifully showcases Jhumpa Lahiri’s exceptional writing style. Her storytelling is both intimate and profound—truly a masterclass in literary craft. I actually picked it up as part of my effort to get back into reading, and it’s been a wonderful choice

Grit: why passion and resilience are the secrets to success by Angela Duckworth - Amazon Link

— Grit by Angela Duckworth shows how passion and perseverance matter more than talent when it comes to achieving lasting success. I recently started reading it myself—and I’m genuinely loving the journey and the inspiration it brings!

Let’s learn together.
Let’s not fear the exam — let’s outsmart it.

Join me in this journey.
Not as a topper.
But as someone who refuses to give up.

More insights coming your way soon. Stay tuned. 💪

Until next time,

Abhinav.